Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty
Half a month ago, almost at the same time that Xu Zhijing recommended Yuan Shikai secretly, Zhang Yinhuan, another think tank of Guangxu, also recommended a person to him, to be precise, a Japanese—Ito Hirobumi.
A few months ago (June 1898), during a political turmoil in Japan, Ito Hirobumi was forced to resign as the prime minister of the cabinet and became the former prime minister of Japan and a well-known Shimono politician.And the first thing Ito Hirobumi did after he was off work was to come to the Qing Dynasty to visit and visit.
Why did Lao Yi come to the Qing Dynasty?If it’s because he doesn’t have to go to work and has time to travel, I believe this reason is not convincing to everyone. He can stay in Japan and go to nightclubs to play kabuki (this is what Lao Yi likes), and he can also travel to other countries. Why must he come? The country that once fought—the Qing Dynasty?
I believe that everyone wants to understand as much as I do.
To understand this problem, we need to analyze it from two aspects. This is what we often say about the domestic and international situation (including Japan). The following analysis is a bit brief. I will tell the details of the story in the future , now let us go back to after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, a lot of things happened after that.
After the war in 1895, a media ("New York Times") commentary represented the general views of Western countries on the Qing-Japanese War: "The Japanese opened the eyes of the world, and let people see the real incompetence of the Qing Dynasty."
A year later (1896), another view began to spread in Western countries. This view seems strange to us now, but it was very famous at the time. This is the "yellow peril theory".
The "yellow peril theory" means that the yellow race is the axis of evil in the world, and the western white people in the world must unite to defeat the yellow race.
Although the reason why the "Yellow Peril Theory" spread in Western countries is very complicated, it also has a lot to do with the Sino-Japanese War. It is one of the theoretical foundations for dividing up the Qing Dynasty and turning the Qing Dynasty into a colony.
The first to act were two countries - Germany and Russia.The two countries colluded together, supported them secretly, and reached a tacit agreement.Russia supported Germany in occupying Qingdao in 1897 and established their first naval base in Asia; while Germany supported Russia in occupying Dalian Bay and Lushun on the Liaodong Peninsula.
The Japanese were extremely angry that the Liaodong Peninsula was what Russia forced them to spit out from the Treaty of Shimonoseki.For the Japanese, what is even more frightening is that they are also of the yellow race.How to choose a suitable path has become an urgent problem in Japan.
As we said earlier, Japan in this period was a strange country. Its political system was enlightened and autocratic, and it was "the road of capitalism with Japanese characteristics."What is strange is not only the political system, but also a fundamental thing-culture.
After the Meiji Restoration, there were two viewpoints in Japan. One, represented by Fukuzawa Yukichi, advocated "leaving Asia and entering Europe" to accept Western culture and fully Westernize.Fukuzawa Yukichi and others believe that only when Japan becomes a fully Western-style country can Western countries "treat it as a country of brothers", which will not only prevent Western aggression and discrimination from now on, break the "yellow peril theory", but also protect Japan in the future. Participate in the Western imperialist camp and share a few pieces of the colonial cake.
Another point of view has a long history, and that is the "Chinese complex".
For thousands of years, Japan has been learning from the Chinese Empire. The powerful Chinese civilization and the mighty Chinese Empire have completely conquered this nation. They yearn for Chinese culture, worship the Chinese system, and completely take China as their teacher.Although the Chinese Empire ruled by the Qing government declined after entering modern times, this did not change this "Chinese complex", but produced a variant.
On the surface, the "Chinese complex" and "leave Asia and enter Europe" are completely opposite, but the amazing thing is that although these people have opposing ideas, they all know that no matter which side has only one fundamental goal-to strengthen Japan.On the surface, the battle of opinions is actually a battle of how to strengthen Japan.
This variant is "to drive out the Tartars and restore China". First, the Qing Dynasty was conquered by force, and then the Japanese ruled the Qing Dynasty and transformed the Qing Dynasty. All the yellow people united to deal with the white people. This is the word we are familiar with later. ——Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
"Break Asia and enter Europe" is very popular in Japan's political circles, but "Great East Asia Co-prosperity" is very popular in the military, because it provides convenience for them to invade North Korea and the Qing Dynasty, and can turn the aggression into "justice" and gain a powerful ideological weapon.Fans include spies Arao Sei, Sokata Kotaro, Touyama Mitsuru, the "co-lord" of the underworld who is closely related to the military, Yamagata Yutomo, Dashanyan, Togo Heihachiro, and so on.These people love Chinese culture very much, and they read "Sun Tzu's Art of War", Four Books and Five Classics when they have nothing to do. Togo Heihachiro even made a sign worshiping Wang Yangming and hung it on his body, and he would show it from time to time.
These people are all directly related to the military, and there is one person, although he is not a member of the military, but a politician, but he is deeply fascinated by the "Great East Asia Co-Prosperity", and he is Ito Hirobumi.
Before Ito Hirobumi came to the Qing Dynasty, he visited Muren, and the two talked secretly for three hours.The contents of these three-hour talks have not been recorded in the historical materials, but it is clear that Ito Hirobumi’s trip to the Qing Dynasty "has an ulterior purpose"-to allow Japan’s national power to infiltrate the Qing Dynasty court. In the future, we will lay the foundation for the realization of "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity".
The activities of Russia and Germany in the Qing Dynasty also seriously affected the territory and interests of the world leader, Britain, in the Qing Dynasty.According to the needs of national interests, Japan and Britain are gradually moving toward an alliance.From the perspective of Japan and Britain, in order to fight against Russia, it is necessary to support the spokesperson of their own interests in the Qing court.
The Queen's Party, which held real power in the imperial court, had already thrown itself into the arms of Russia at this time, "leaning to one side of Russia."
When the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" was signed, Russia forced Japan to "return" the Liaodong Peninsula to the Qing Dynasty. This actually helped Li Hongzhang, and helping Li Hongzhang was helping Cixi.From then on, the friends of the queen's party began to be grateful to Lao Maozi, hugging the big tree, and pouring out the spring to repay each other.A year later (1896), an extremely top-secret "Secret Treaty" was signed between the two countries.
According to this "Secret Agreement", the Qing Dynasty and Russia formed a secret military alliance to jointly prevent and deal with Japan. No matter which country Japan attacked in the future, the other country would send troops.
This "Secret Agreement" was signed by Li Hongzhang himself, and the signing process was extremely confidential. At that time, only a few people in the court knew about it.The signed documents were put into the safe and put directly into Cixi's bedroom.
"Secret Agreement" looks perfect, in the eyes of the court, finally found a big brother to prevent Japan from launching a war again.However, this "Secret Agreement" is the real conspiracy of the Russians. During the process of signing this "Secret Agreement", Li Hongzhang was fooled by the Russians.One year after the "Secret Treaty" was signed, Russia revealed its true colors. With the covert support and cooperation of Germany, it seized the opportunity to occupy Lushun and Dalian Bay, important ports on the Liaodong Peninsula of the Qing Dynasty.
The imperial court suffered from being dumb, but it was too difficult to ride a tiger, so it had to swallow the bitter fruit. Its foreign policy had to continue to tilt towards Russia, and it could only hope that it could get rid of this arrogant and cunning elder brother in the future.
For Japan and the United Kingdom, who came to get in the way, since the royal party has already thrown itself into the arms of the Russians, it is necessary to support the imperial party and the reformists.Although the reform faction is relatively weak at present, it has a large number of followers among young officials and intellectuals, which is of great support value.
And the imperial party also needs Japan and Britain very much. What's going on?
During the Qing-Japanese War, the imperialists fought hard, that is to say, Japan was the number one enemy in their eyes, and they hated it so much.However, the queen party faction is also their opponent in the court power struggle. The so-called "the friend of the opponent is one's enemy, and the enemy of the opponent is one's possible friend." Now that Russia has become a friend of the queen party faction, Japan has become If the enemies of the Queen's Party were eliminated, then, for the Imperial Party, Japan and the United Kingdom, which made Li Hongzhang humiliated in the peace talks, changed from the original enemies to possible friends!
The court's power struggle not only affects the country, but also affects international relations across the ocean.In fact, the reason why the imperial court's diplomacy has no rules and regulations is because it is closely related to the domestic power struggle.
Since both sides have needs, the needs are very strong, and they want to meet them immediately, then there is still a need for a middleman to bridge the gap between Ito Hirobumi who came to the Qing Dynasty and Emperor Guangxu. Who would this person be?
He is Zhang Yinhuan.
Among the ministerial-level senior officials of the imperial court, Zhang Yinhuan was one of the few who had "seen the outside world". He served as the Qing ambassador to the United States, Peru, and Spain.At the inauguration ceremony of the Statue of Liberty in New York, he had the honor of being the only Qing Dynasty person invited to be present (1886). In 1897, he also represented the Qing Dynasty in London to attend the 60th anniversary celebration of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. The Queen also saw his handsome braids and gave him a Grand Cross of Knights.Zhang Yinhuan spoke English fluently, yearned for the Western world, and had a close relationship with the British Minister in Beijing, Donner, and was a well-known "British faction" in the court.
To be pro-British is to be pro-Japanese.Although Zhang Yinhuan was seriously humiliated by Hirobumi Ito when he signed the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" three years ago, but the past grievances need not be said, the overall situation is the most important.Zhang Yinhuan decided to introduce Ito Hirobumi to Emperor Guangxu to share the experience of the Meiji Restoration.
The Zongli Yamen set this day on September 20. After receiving Yuan Shikai who came to ask for training, Emperor Guangxu then received Hirobumi Ito.
The arrival of Ito Hirobumi also made another person "closely pay attention", he is Kang Youwei.
At this time, Lao Kang was making a plan to "encircle the garden and kill the empress", but the arrival of Ito Hirobumi gave him another opportunity.
Kang Youwei believes that for a big man like Ito Hirobumi, who finally came to the Qing Dynasty, it is not enough to just exchange experiences. , and will definitely be able to carry forward the spirit of internationalism and help the Qing Dynasty carry out the reform.
And the institution that hired Ito Hirobumi is Mao Qindian.In Kang Youwei's view, once Maoqindian opened, in addition to hiring domestic consultants like him, foreign consultants like Ito Hirobumi could also be hired.Of course, the British were also indispensable. Kang Youwei had already asked his friend (Timothy Lee), a British missionary in Shanghai, to come to Beijing to "stand by" and wait for his entry into the "Maoqin Palace".In this way, there are domestic and international consultants, and there are even more reasons to open the "Maoqin Temple".He, Lao Kang, can also work next to the emperor in a few days.
Therefore, Kang Youwei mobilized his official friends to submit a memorial, asked the imperial court to open the Maoqin Hall, and hired domestic and international consultants, while making a lot of hype in the media.From Lao Kang’s point of view, this is worthy of hype, at least to use Ito Hirobumi’s influence in the Meiji Restoration to strengthen the momentum of the reformists.
Guangxu was very interested in opening Maoqin Temple and hiring Ito Hirobumi.Kaimao Qindian can continue to promote the reform of the official system, but it seems that Guangxu has no choice but to hire Ito Hirobumi: a reform initiated by himself, the people of the country do not support it, and if they can’t invite the people of the country, they can only invite the former enemies Japanese.And more importantly, if Ito Hirobumi can participate, it means that he has obtained strong support from Japan and the United Kingdom, which is very beneficial to himself and the political reform!
It's a pity that Cixi is better than him. It was Ito Hirobumi's reason that Cixi severely rejected Guangxu's request to open Maoqin Temple.
We know the next thing, Emperor Guangxu was a little hit, wrote a secret edict to Yang Rui, accepted Yang Rui's suggestion, and ordered Kang Youwei to leave Beijing for the second time.After Lao Kang and the others carried out the encirclement and killing according to the original plan, Tan Sitong visited Yuan Shikai at night until Yuan Shikai entered the palace to ask for training.
And in these days, the atmosphere of using Hirobumi Ito to hype the reform has become more frenzied. Immediately, some people reported that it is not enough to hire Hirobumi Ito as a consultant, and that he should be the "minister" (premier of the State Council), and then some people think that this is not enough. Not enough, in order to better play the role of these international friends, Qing and Japan, or simply Qing, Japan, Britain, and the United States should become a "joint state", and everyone should form an alliance, like a family, and those foreigners will If you work hard, things will be easy.
These news seriously shocked Cixi in the Summer Palace, she felt a kind of fear that she had never had before!
In Cixi's view, Ito Hirobumi was just a pathfinder. If the reformers and the emperor thought that Japan and Britain were sincere in helping the Qing Dynasty to carry out the reform, or that they would really form an alliance with the Qing Dynasty, that would be naive.The contract of the "Secret Treaty" of alliance with Russia was placed by her bedside. No one knew better than Cixi that the "union" or alliance with these powers would actually only allow the imperial court to accept the control of other countries. Alliances are the best example.Japan and Britain just want to do the same as Russia, trying to infiltrate power, gain some benefits, and even control the court.
If Guangxu really adopted these people's suggestions, the court's foreign policy would have to make major adjustments, and Cixi would have to bear enormous pressure from Russia, but this was not her worst fear.
What she is most afraid of is: at least so far, the forces of Japan and Britain do not support her.This is very different from Russia.
For Cixi, as long as there is an army that still listens to her, she still has the confidence to control the people in the country, including the emperor. oo.During the reform period, it seemed that Guangxu was in charge. In fact, if Guangxu adopts some new policies that Cixi cannot tolerate, and appoints ministers who cannot tolerate it, she can just say a word, and Guangxu has to do it immediately-even military ministers like Weng Tonghe, It was she who was dismissed after the next imperial decree, but Cixi also had something she was afraid of.
The only thing she fears are foreigners. "As long as foreigners are not involved, there is nothing I can't do!" This is the old man's public famous saying.
If we say that the previous power struggle, no matter how life-or-death, was still fighting in the nest, and Cixi still has strong confidence in controlling the situation, then she is now very worried that the intervention of a foreign force that she can't handle will be the ultimate threat to her power security. She can only think that her control over the imperial court will come to an end by then—uncertain foreign forces will get rid of her supreme imperial power.
This is where she gets really terrified.
Even the seriousness of the problem is more than that.In the eyes of confidants Yikuang and others, this will still be a "peaceful evolution". Once the Meiji Restoration model is adopted to establish a constitutional monarchy, the power of the court will undoubtedly be transferred to the hands of the emerging Han people, and those people are just irresponsible Political demagogues, such as Lao Kang.At that time, even Emperor Guangxu will be emptied, the country of the ancestors and clans will change color, and the imperial court will take the evil path of changing flags and flags, which is no different from changing the dynasty!
Yes, Cixi also had to consider this issue.One of the original intentions of the reform is to seize the imperial power, not to lose the throne!
For a long time, Cixi has supported the reform to a certain extent. This support is based on the fact that she believes that she can still control the government—the power is still in her hands, and it is also based on the fact that the country of the ancestors has not changed—— It is still based on the foundation of Aixinjueluo's family.And this kid Guangxu seems to have played himself into it as he played around. Could it be that he forgot that he is still a descendant of Aixinjueluo?
Even from the perspective of political reform, the imperial court needs people like Ito Hirobumi, but not Ito Hirobumi himself.
"I have to take care of it." Cixi said to herself.
And the Summer Palace is already full of excitement.When the reformists used Ito Hirobumi to fanatically create public opinion, the princes and ministers who realized the danger of power poured into the Summer Palace one after another, and they began to fight back. The memorials were presented, and the crying complaints had only one central meaning: Your Majesty It is no longer possible for the elderly to leave the mountain.
Li Hongzhang was the first to fight back.He personally signed the "Secret Treaty" with Russia. Once the court turned to Japan and Britain, he would not only be completely squeezed out and stand aside from now on, but also be investigated and liquidated.
The person who came forward for Li Hongzhang was a man named Yang Chongyi. This man was not only the imperial censor, but also the in-law of Li Hongzhang's son. He gave Cixi a memorial.
The core meaning of this memorial is: the situation is severe, Empress Dowager, please start political training from now on.
The other group began to cry, and when they finally finished crying, they wiped away their tears and told the Queen Mother a story.
This story is: Empress Dowager, you are in danger!Japan and Britain have joined forces, and when necessary, they will use force to support Ito Hirobumi to control the Qing government, and then support the reformists to come to power to establish a pro-Japanese and British puppet regime.It was rumored that Kang Youwei had bewitched Ito Hirobumi, and asked Ito Hirobumi to order the Japanese warships outside Dagu Port in Tianjin to send troops to Beijing, surround the Summer Palace, and hijack the Queen Mother and send them to the warship.Ito Hirobumi agreed, and only put forward one condition: Japan cannot act on what you said alone, and must make this request to me personally when the emperor meets me.
According to the meaning of this group of people, Cixi not only wanted to come to the court to train the government immediately, but also to abolish Emperor Guangxu.Because Kang Youwei "probably got the emperor's instruction".
Before Ito Hirobumi entered the palace, Kang Youwei visited him (has nothing to do with the emperor), and Ito Hirobumi did not leave the above content in his diary, so we can only think that this is a rumor.However, the fact that there is no public record in the diary does not mean that this incident did not happen, because from all indications, it is also very difficult to fabricate this rumor out of thin air.Since Kang Youwei could use Yuan Shikai to create chaos in the capital, he could also use the Japanese. This is just the Japanese version of "killing the empress in the garden". It seems that Lao Kang designed the "double insurance" of Yuan Shikai and Hirobumi Ito for his plan.
Kang Youwei, Kang Youwei, you are really good.
Cixi is dubious about this rumor, not only because there are rumors everywhere in the capital, but also because she doesn't trust the group of people who spread the rumors. This group of people seems to be loyal and powerful, but they are not within Cixi's trust.They will soon show their faces.
For rumors, she needs to confirm, not to believe in rumors, not to spread rumors, this is also the quality of a ruler.But she must monitor Guangxu's upcoming meeting with Ito Hirobumi.The situation has reached a very critical juncture. If she does not act again, she will prove to Japan, Britain and other countries that she is the only master who strictly controls the country, so as to kill the hearts of the big powers, everything will become impossible Redeem!
Therefore, it is necessary to go back from the Summer Palace to check the situation before Guangxu and Ito Hirobumi meet.
Cixi didn't know that once she left, there was no turning back.
According to the schedule set by the Zongli Yamen, the day Guangxu met Ito Hirobumi was September 20. After receiving Yuan Shikai who entered the palace for training, he would meet with Ito Hirobumi.
On September 19, Cixi set off from the Summer Palace and returned to the palace.
Yuan Shikai's guess was correct. When Guangxu received him, the eunuch sent by Cixi to listen was sitting behind the throne.
Next, I met Hirobumi Ito, and Cixi sat behind the throne in person.
In the early morning of September 21, Guangxu was called up from the dragon bed by the eunuch and came to the main hall to attend a small-scale meeting of high-level political leaders.
He came to attend the conference, and he also came to listen to the training. To put it bluntly, he came to be scolded because he had already made a mistake.
The main hall was brightly lit, Cixi was sitting on the throne, Manchu princes, military ministers and other high-level court officials stood on one side, and only Guangxu, a lonely person, knelt on the other side.
Cixi began to scold Guangxu like a storm.
Guangxu turned back into that frightened child again, only dared to kneel on the ground, occasionally arguing anxiously, but nothing helped.
I'm done cursing, I'm done venting my anger.The princes and ministers knelt down to Cixi and shouted: "I respectfully invite the Empress Dowager to come and teach the government!" But Cixi did not speak.
Silence, you must absolutely keep silent at this time, and you must be silent with grace.
"The Empress Dowager, please come to the court to train the government!" Guangxu's weak voice came.
Yes, this must wait for the emperor to speak in person.
it's over.After a small meeting at the top of the political spectrum, it all came to an end.Cixi announced that because Guangxu was not enough to take on state affairs, she would come out of the mountain again and take the method of training the government in person to guide Guangxu in handling future government affairs.
Although many books in the past have called what happened that night a "coup d'etat", judging from various signs, it cannot be called a "coup d'etat". Power has always been in the hands of Cixi, but it was in the beautiful scenery The Summer Palace is remotely controlled through Guangxu's "combining system of asking for instructions in advance and reporting after the event". Now it has been changed in a different way, and it will be necessary to come to the office to work in person in the future.
As far as Guangxu is concerned, this has not changed much for him, and it can even be said to be better. Anyway, before, he had to ask for instructions and report, but now it is replaced by on-the-spot guidance, so that he does not have to travel to the Summer Palace, which is better.
If Guangxu succeeded in seizing power, it would be a real coup.
The power struggle at the highest level of the imperial court (in the court) finally got a balance. The emperor did not suffer much, the queen mother did not suffer much, and the ministers did not suffer much.However, the coup did not happen, but the coup did happen. Since Guangxu made a mistake, the reform he implemented would naturally stop, and most of the decrees issued in the 103 days after the announcement of the reform would be abolished. The policy will return to the old way.Only the reform that once caused heated discussions, joy and ambitions of many people has really been damaged.
And although what happened this night can’t be called a coup d’etat, there has always been a coup plot inside the imperial court. It is the group of people who have been spreading rumors leading them, a group of special people. About these people and their plot, we Will be revealed in the next story.
The infantry commander Yamen received an order to arrest Kang Youwei and Kang Guangren.Kang Youwei was charged with "forming a party for private interests, making bad comments and disorderly administration", and he was "repeatedly accused by others" in the past.As for Kang Guangren's crime, because he is Kang Youwei's younger brother.
Only Kang Guangren was caught in the Nanhai Guild Hall. On September 19, the second day after Tan Sitong's night visit to Fahua Temple, Kang Youwei finally took the train to Tianjin after making arrangements, and then took a ship from Tianjin to Shanghai.In Shanghai, Kang Youwei failed to go ashore. The British who heard the news intercepted him from the ship and sent him to Hong Kong.In order to prevent the assassination of the imperial court's secret agents, Kang Youwei was arranged by the British to live in the Royal Hong Kong Police Station. After escaping for a while, he will go to Japan and start a long life of exile overseas.
Kang Youwei finally left Beijing and the political arena of the imperial court in this way. When we saw him again, it was already overseas.
Kang Youwei is a complicated person. He has the ambition to shock the world, and he can bravely stand at the forefront of the times.He is often regarded as a "radical" of reform, but the so-called "radical" and "steady" are sometimes very vague, and it is difficult to grasp this degree. Another synonym for sound may be conservative, and another synonym for radical Probably brave.If something is done, it may be considered stable, but if it is not done, it may be considered radical.It's just that it doesn't matter if the ideal is radical, but you can't and can't be radical in doing things, because what you need is a down-to-earth process. Radical doing things is precisely the fear of long-term hard work and long-term struggle preparations in your bones.
And when these things are the public affairs of the people—politics, it is even more necessary to use the legitimacy and justice of the procedure to ensure the legitimacy and justice of the result.Many of Kang Youwei's ideas seem to be innovative "constructive opinions", but in fact they are just thought of by him flipping through books and patting his head, without extensive solicitation and discussion, and without paying attention to other people. Even rushing to release it without self-scientific proof, this is no different from the rule of man of the bureaucratic group in the past, but it has fallen into suspicion of conspiracy and party struggle.
Because he did not understand the importance of procedural justice, Kang Youwei never jumped out of his own world.He has always been immersed in his tragic role, and he regards himself as the representative of public opinion, and the only representative. In Kang Youwei's view, it seems that everyone else is against the reform, and only he is running and crying for the common people. suffering.Driven by this kind of psychology, coupled with that shocking ambition, it is easy to make extreme moves.
Kang Youwei likes to use the media, which is originally a "modernization" behavior compared to the old era, but Lao Kang's use of the media is just hype for his own purpose, and he has not really included the media in popularizing common sense of reform and carrying out "modernization". In the role of enlightenment of civic consciousness.All of this actually comes from Kang Youwei's lack of deep knowledge and understanding of "modernity". His mind is still old-fashioned, only a little bit newer than the older ones.
Years later, Yan Fu, another great intellectual whom Guangxu met during the reform period, commented on Kang Youwei's deeds during the Reform Movement of 1898: he betrayed his ruler above, tired of his friends below him, scholars wronged the country, and quack doctors killed people!
But Kang Youwei's value or loveliness lies in his persistence.He was born as a fighter, he has been fighting, not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of failure, not moved by anyone or anything, standing like Mount Tai.After being exiled overseas, Kang Youwei forged a copy of the "clothes edict" given to him by Guangxu based on the secret edict given to Yang Rui by Guangxu.Many years ago, he was "ahead" of the time because he advocated political reform, and many years later he was "behind" the time because of protecting the emperor.But Kang Youwei is Kang Youwei. He believed in his choice and insisted on his choice. Even if everyone betrayed his relatives and even his closest disciple Liang Qichao broke with him in the end, he still insisted on his choice with an unswerving fighting spirit. For a lifetime, whether it is right or wrong, Lao Kang insisted on them as a kind of legend.He has been standing there.
Well, for Cixi, everything that should be dealt with has been dealt with. Next, those who should go to work will go to work, and those who should have meetings and sleep will go to sleep.According to relevant historical records, Empress Dowager Cixi even went back to the Summer Palace on September 21, and the government has stabilized again, and the turmoil seems to have subsided.
Because the infantry commanding yamen reported that Kang Youwei had not been caught, a telegram requesting Kang Youwei to be arrested in Tianjin and to prevent him from escaping from Tianjin was sent to Zhili Governor Rong Lu, and then Cixi sent Yang Chongyi to Tianjin to inform Rong Lu of the situation in Beijing.
Yang Chongyi went to Tianjin.And it was this ordinary trip to Tianjin that caused the situation in the court, which was originally calm, to stir up waves again, and the situation changed suddenly!
The day before (the evening of September 20th), a man returned to Tianjin in a state of despair by taking a train.
He is the Comrade Yuan Shikai we are familiar with.
If someone met him at this time, he would definitely see a person with dull eyes, a trance-like expression, and a lot of thoughts.In fact, since returning to Tianjin, that problem is still bothering him.Although he did not report to the imperial court in Beijing, but he is going to see the immediate leadership soon, shouldn't he tell the secret?
This question is like holding a bomb in his chest—it is still highly sensitive, tormenting Lao Yuan.
Zhili Governor's Mansion, Yuan Shikai met Rong Lu.He didn't tell the secret, although Yuan Shikai suspected that Rong Lu asked him to return to Tianjin immediately after the training, not just for the simple purpose of "arming British and Japanese warships", and he probably heard something.But Yuan Shikai still suppressed his innermost thoughts, hid his inner secrets, and in front of his immediate leaders, forcibly held back the boulder in his heart as if nothing had happened. What a strong heart it takes.
Rong Lu called Yuan Shikai back in a hurry, just to see his attitude towards him after being suddenly promoted by Guangxu.Because Yuan Shikai was a military general under him, and the emperor promoted him directly, Lord Rong Lu would of course be suspicious.However, it is not difficult for Mr. Yuan to dispel the suspicion of the leader. You must know that performing in front of people is our Mr. Yuan's specialty. His attitude is more humble and loyal than before. All this shows that he is still honorable. People in the middle hall.
Rong Lu was very satisfied, and the two talked about "defending British and Japanese warships". After the meeting was over, Yuan Shikai walked out of Zhili Governor's Mansion.Nothing to say all night.
Yang Chongyi's itinerary and purpose were kept secret, but all this still did not escape Yuan Shikai's eyes.Since the Joseon Dynasty, he has always been a master of intelligence. There are intelligence personnel from our old Yuan in Tianjin City and even in the governor's office.Yuan Shikai finally knew the purpose of Yang Chongyi's coming to Tianjin in the first moment, and also knew the changes that happened in the palace in the early morning of this day: the Empress Dowager came to the court to train the government, and more importantly: Kang Guangren had been arrested, and Kang Youwei was wanted!
This news came as a bolt from the blue to Yuan Shikai!Once Kang Guangren reveals the plan after Wei Yuan's murder, and also confesses that Tan Sitong had approached him about this plan, then Lao Yuan will not only be charged with covering up, but will also be suspected of collusion. People can save Yuan Shikai!
So I must immediately report to Ronglu everything I encountered in Beijing!No more hiding anything!Report now, report all!Not even a minute of delay!
Yuan Shikai immediately realized that he was going to bid farewell to the life of the fence-sitting faction. From then on, he must firmly support the imperial leadership with the Empress Dowager as the core, and unite closely around Cixi.Your Majesty, you can't blame me for this, the results in the palace are all out, can I still ride the fence?Protect yourself first.
Yuan Shikai went to Zhili Governor's Mansion.
When Yuan Shikai came to the governor's mansion, he found that the atmosphere here seemed tense, and many guards had been added to the governor's office.Kang Youwei has long been a dangerous person in Rong Lu's eyes. He said that he would kill first-rank officials. Now that he may escape to Tianjin, Rong Lu has to guard against it!
Yuan Shikai knelt on the ground and told Ronglu everything.
He first talked about the rumor about the military parade in Tianjin, that is, Rong Lu would kill Guangxu in accordance with Cixi's will during the military parade in Tianjin in September. Yuan Shikai emphasized that Tan Sitong came to him because of this rumor.
Such a serious crime, even if it is unwarranted, Rong Lu can't afford it. It must be clarified. Sure enough, Rong Lu turned pale with shock, and immediately swore: "If Rong has committed the slightest sin, the sky will punish me!"
It worked.For Yuan Shikai, this is his first step.Although the report is based on the facts, but the report is also skillful.He has successfully involved Rong Lu in this matter, that is, he has tied the leader with himself.Then it's easier to wash off yourself.
"I beseech the honorable minister to be the master!" After talking about what happened at Fahua Temple that night, Yuan Shikai couldn't kneel down for long, terrified.
"Why didn't you report yesterday?" Rong Lu asked sternly.
Hearing this, Yuan Shikai burst into tears, almost dying of tears, and said while crying: "Mr. Rong, this plan has nothing to do with the emperor. If the emperor is involved, I will have to drink medicine and commit suicide." (This matter There is no interference with the emperor, if the superior is involved, I can only die with medicine)
Yuan Shikai's words were implying that he considered that Guangxu might be involved in the plan after Weiyuan's killing, so he was not easy to deal with.This reason is upright, and Rong Lu can't object.And the next step is probably to show loyalty to Ronglu.
This matter is related to the emperor and the country, and the stakes are extremely high. If it is a crime, it is not Shikai who can take it, nor is it that you can handle it conveniently for a while.Fortunately, although some villains form cliques to instigate, Shikai will never be moved by them. Shikai thought about it all night, although he feels that those villains can't turn the sky, can't make waves, but he should come and tell you. Rong Xiang must make the decision for me!
Yuan Shikai had the capital to express his loyalty to Rong Lu, because he knew that Rong Lu would not really embarrass him. Rong Lu had always admired Yuan Shikai's talent and regarded Yuan Shikai as his confidant.Sure enough, Rong Lu asked Yuan Shikai to stand up, and he said that he would not pursue it anymore, and even if Cixi pursued it again in the future, he would try his best to excuse him.
The danger is lifted.Before entering the Governor's Mansion, Yuan Shikai knew that it was important to tell the truth, but more importantly, it was to show his loyalty to Rong Lu. Now that the goal was achieved, Lord Rong Lu no longer pursued it, and the ending was perfect.
More importantly, with Ronglu's guarantee, Cixi will be safe in the future. If Ronglu doesn't speak up for him, Cixi will definitely suspect him based on his performance of concealing it for so many days—even if he doesn't suspect that he is involved in conspiracy , will also suspect that he has both ends of the head and two sides, trying to please both sides.And Rong Lu is one of Cixi's most trusted confidantes. His words are more effective than anything else, even more effective than the facts. You must know that in this autocratic court, the higher you go, the more wrong you are to people.
Actually, I am an actor.Yuan Shikai stood up and patted the ashes off his body.
The process of reporting Yuan Shikai has always been a historical mystery.袁世凯把进北京后开始的这段经历写了一部日记——《戊戌纪略》，以上的讲述也重点参考了《戊戌纪略》，但《戊戌纪略》也有问题，因为它并不是真正的“日记”，而是袁世凯在事后“补记”的。写这些日记的目的有两个，一是给当时的人看——消除慈禧和后党对他的怀疑，二是留下大部分的事实给后来人看，因为他知道：历史一定会同情这场变法，同情光绪皇帝。也许对于袁世凯来说，变法才是正义的，同情变法，支持和推进变法，这才是他老袁内心最真实的态度——这些当时不能说，就让后来人去了解吧。
经过多方面的论证，以上的讲述应该是最接近历史事实的。这个历史事实就是：不是袁世凯的告发导致皇宫里事情的发生，而是皇宫事情的发生导致了他的告发。袁世凯同志是在自己有掉顶戴甚至掉脑袋危险的时候走进了直隶总督府，相信这是每一个官场人物在遇到这种情况时共有的选择。我们不能苛求袁世凯为了变法大业连自己的命都不要了，我们不能排除他在告发之前有自己利益的考虑，但无论出于什么原因隐瞒，他都在事实上站在了光绪和变法阵营这一边。
三年以后（1901年），那个将变法大业重新开始，把戊戌变法想做却做不到的事情去变成现实的人，正是袁世凯。
然而，袁世凯的告发虽然没有导致皇宫里事情的发生，却直接导致了另外一件事情的发生，让原本只是骂了骂皇帝、开个高层内部的小范围政治会议，变成了一个更加严重的社会事件——流血。
杨崇伊把这个情况带回了北京。
感到恐惧的慈禧马上做出了反应，她下令将光绪身边十多位太监全部抓起来杀掉，这些太监原本就是她安排的眼线，而眼皮底下谋杀的阴谋竟然没被发现，她怀疑这些太监不忠。
然后慈禧命令将有重大合谋嫌疑的光绪囚禁在西苑（今中南海）一座四面环水的孤岛——瀛台。等抓捕到乱党，审讯查明光绪是否合谋后再进一步发落。
抓捕的范围迅速扩大，第二份通缉令名单迅速增加九个人：
户部侍郎张荫桓
军机四章京谭嗣同、林旭、刘光第、杨锐
礼部侍郎徐致靖
礼部主事王照
监察御史杨深秀
康有为弟子梁启超
王照和梁启超成功地逃到了日本大使馆，在日本人的帮助下化装去了东京，他们将在那里与康有为会合。而其他人员全部落网，加上之前的康广仁，步兵统领衙门共抓获八个人。
荣禄来到了北京，他来北京带有一个重大任务：劝说慈禧不要审问这些乱党，立即杀头。
朝廷的嫌疑犯在抓获后，必须送到刑部审讯，按照《大清律》治罪，这是必经的程序。不经审讯就杀头，这可是大清开国以来未有。而在荣禄的劝说下，慈禧竟然同意了，八个人不审不问，直接绑赴刑场杀头。
一切的原因都将在接下来的故事中揭晓。
排在必杀名单第一名的是张荫桓，这并不是因为他的级别最高。慈禧亲自把他列在斩首第一名，张荫桓直接将伊藤博文引荐给光绪，这犯了慈禧的大忌，必须杀掉他。
然而英国驻北京公使窦那尔代表英国政府警告朝廷：必须留下张荫桓，如果慈禧太后坚持要杀，英国将可能会对清国动武！
看来英国要留着这张“亲英”的旗帜。
慈禧忍下了，看来那个叫维多利亚的女人比自己更狠，得罪不起。慈禧只好又一笔划掉张荫桓的名字，改为流放新疆。但这种隐忍只是暂时的，慈禧对张荫桓的心头之恨并没有消除，两年以后，在一个终于不怕得罪列强的时刻（1900年），慈禧下令将张荫桓在新疆秘密处死。
李鸿章也开始行动了。徐致靖的父亲和李鸿章是科场“同年”，并且还帮助过李鸿章。当时徐致靖的父亲和李鸿章同场进京赶考，李鸿章在考场上突发疟疾，全身发抖，连笔都拿不稳，徐致靖的父亲在自己交卷后，帮李鸿章誊抄好了卷子，李鸿章这才高中进士。对于这份“恩情”，李鸿章是不能忘的，他要去营救徐致靖。
李鸿章找到了荣禄，请他在慈禧面前求情。荣禄告诉慈禧，徐致靖是个教育部的书呆子（事实如此），他搞变法纯粹就是瞎起哄，也没有参与谋杀阴谋，请太后饶过他吧。
徐致靖的名字也被勾掉了。
斩首名单上还剩下六个人。
当官兵前来抓捕的时候，谭嗣同正在浏阳会馆里平静地等待他们的到来。
谭嗣同是湖南浏阳人，作为湖北巡抚谭继洵家中唯一的儿子，也是唯一的孩子，按常理说，这个官二代完全可以过上养尊处优的生活，驾着豪华马车，在马路上横冲直撞，撞到一个人说我爸是那啥，然后嚣张地扬长而去。
但谭嗣同不是这样的人。他虽然物质条件优越，精神上却一直很痛苦。
谭嗣同的母亲原本还生下过三女一子，但都先后夭亡了。最痛苦的一次经历在1876年春天，那年的北京爆发一场流行性疾病，当时谭家正在北京，五天内一连夺去了谭嗣同母亲、二姐以及兄长三个人的性命，谭嗣同也在昏迷了三天后才醒过来，他的号“复生”，就是指的这次变故。
厄运还没有结束。在谭嗣同结婚后，他的老婆曾经给他生过一个儿子，却也最终夭折，谭嗣同就这样成了只有父亲妻子，没有兄弟姐妹，也没有孩子的人。
频繁失去亲人对谭嗣同打击沉重，但谭嗣同是一个很讲义气、十分善良的人。1884年，19岁的谭嗣同离家出走，采用徒步旅行的方式，游历了大半个清国，一路风尘仆仆、晓行夜宿，只是在偶尔的时候搭搭牛车，宛如一个刻意修行的苦行僧。这次旅行对他来说影响长远。
在游历过程中，他观察风土人情，行走边野乡村，结交民间侠士，和卑微的百姓们无话不谈，他终于发现了“外面的世界”，一个他在北京等繁华大城市见不到的世界，一种和天生富裕不同的草民的生活。
当谭嗣同来到自己的世界之外时，他才发现一个不一样的清国，但这才是真实的清国。真实的清国没有它应该有的活力，而是暮气沉沉，洋务运动已经进行了二十多年了，而大部分地方都没有分享到这种成果。大部分的清国人是一群沉默、疲倦和迷茫的人。他们有生存的压力，遭受地方官吏的各种盘剥欺压，但无处伸张。
谭嗣同把这一切归结于——专制。虽然他的父亲是省部级高官，他是官二代，但对专制的批评毫不客气。
在接受光绪的召见之前，谭嗣同以江苏候补知府的身份住在南京，闭门写书——以19岁那年旅行的见闻为基础，整理自己的所思所感，他给这本书起了个好听的名字：《仁学》。
在《仁学》中，谭嗣同将他对腐朽朝廷的愤怒全部指向了专制：
“两千年来，专制制度为大盗之政！”
“专制君主为独夫民贼！”
“若君不能为民办事，亦可共废！”
然后谭嗣同等到了一个机会，这就是徐致靖向光绪保举他成为变法之人，谭嗣同来到了北京。他的内心充满着兴奋，因为他知道这是一个机会，正因为朝廷专制，所以需要改变，需要变法，他必须去实践这样的变法，为变法做一切的事情，哪怕是冒险。
真正参与到变法之中后，谭嗣同才感到了真正的苦恼。他有满腔的热血，他有不懈的精神和坚定的决心，但是，变法需要的似乎并不是这些，现实总让他处处碰壁，那种无法实现理想、突破现实的无力感深深地折磨着谭嗣同。
他把康有为当作了偶像，也当作了救星。康有为学识渊博，又享有名气，谭嗣同认为只要按照康有为的想法去做，变法是一定能够成功的。为了这个成功，他什么方法都愿意去尝试，什么风险都会去冒。在谭嗣同看来，变法只能成功，无法失败，因为百姓们折腾不起。
他带着杀掉慈禧后可以顺利实施变法的愿望走进了法华寺。
当步兵统领衙门前来抓捕时，谭嗣同有很多机会可以逃走，他甚至已经去了英国和日本公使馆，却又自己走了出来。他只希望梁启超去出走日本，“没有远走的人，无以图将来”，他希望梁启超做行者，让变法火种薪火相传，而他自己，已经抱有必死的决心。
专制制度，虽为大盗之政，但是它是一时无法消除的，梦想中为了天下苍生的现代政体，一时无法建立，谭嗣同终于明白了这样的事实。事实令人心碎，但是，也激起了他另外的信心和愿望。他相信这一天一定会到来，此时看不到没有关系，总有一天，它会到来。
让我的头颅和热血去祭奠这场变法吧，只有我为变法死，变法才不会因我们而死。让我，让我们的变法成为最深刻的教训和思考留给后来之人！
是的，千年以来，变法的结局常常是失败和流血，但是变法的目的不是流血，而是避免流血，破解变法即失败、失败即流血的千年难题，留给了后来者。
谭嗣同抱着必死决心的第二个原因是因为光绪。“没有死去的人，无以酬圣主”，对于光绪皇帝，谭嗣同有着无可言说的愧疚，当年那个大骂皇帝为“独夫民贼”的人，已经把光绪当做“圣主”了。这绝不是因为光绪重用了他，而是因为一场本来可以做好的事，他却犯下了严重的错误，这样的错误，已经连累了皇上，使皇上被囚禁瀛台，甚至有生命危险，谭嗣同悔之晚矣！
谭嗣同去日本和英国公使馆，并不是为了他自己，而是向外国人说明，即使变法失败，保全光绪对他们也是十分重要的，外国人讲究利益，谭嗣同就说清楚他们的利益，请他们答应一旦皇上有危险时，设法营救皇上——我们将很快看到谭嗣同这种努力的结果。
就这样吧，我已经尽力了。我的理想我自会来坚持，当坚持不下去了，相信也会有后来者，而我的错误只能由我承担。对于每一个我合作过的人，我都会对他讲义气，对于每一个我对不起的人，我都会负责任，哪怕他是皇上。这就是我的选择。
杀身成仁，舍生取义！仁者，对天下人之仁也，义者，对周围人之义也，这不需要多少豪言壮语、多少惊天动地的行动，只需要一种选择与坚持。
他虽然是官二代，但他更关心草二代；他虽然行事鲁莽，但敢作敢为；他虽然性格冲动，但恩怨分明；他或许不是一个天生的政治家，不是一个合格的变法家，但他是一个有烈士气节的人，一个敢于承担结果的人，一个有着自己原则的很真实的人。他可以不死，不死，并不算错，没人可以责怪他，可是死了，却突然凸显了意义。英雄与凡人的分野就在这里，他不仅要为自己总结，也要为天下人总结，为“天下为公”总结。
从某种意义上说，谭嗣同是一个平凡的英雄，一个值得敬佩的人。
谭嗣同的出现给这场变法带来了黑暗中的光芒，这微小的光亮，照过了多少野心与权谋、多少算计与圈套，让它们都在光亮下显得荒谬和渺小。多年以后的人们再次谈起这场变法时，一定会提到谭嗣同，因为他也埋下了勇敢与正义的种子，留下了热血和希望！
“有心杀贼，无力回天，死得其所，快哉！快哉！”
9月28日，刑场上响起了谭嗣同洪亮的声音。
谭嗣同、林旭、杨锐、刘光第、杨深秀和康广仁，六君子皆被杀于菜市口刑场。
行刑完毕。军机大臣、监斩官刚毅的脸上露出了他的微笑。
朝廷里的那伙人终于露出他们的面目了。这是一群特别的人，而刚毅只是其中的一员，并不是他们的核心，他们的核心是一个显赫的人物：端郡王。
端郡王人们常常叫他端王，他是光绪的堂兄，团结在端王周围的是一伙满族王公贵族和八旗子弟。他们组成了朝中最有权势的政治集团——端王集团。
而端王集团的强大不仅在于他们在朝廷中有强大的政治势力，军队中也到处是他们的人。端王本人掌控着朝廷的禁卫军之一——武胜新队。这是一支配备洋枪洋炮的八旗军队伍。对于这支军队大家一定很陌生，但是在一年以后（1899年），这支军队改成的另一个名字我们一定很熟悉——虎神营。
除了禁卫军，甚至整个守卫京城的八旗军都是偏向端王集团的，毕竟大家都是同一个出身的，有共同的利益嘛。
总之，这是一群地位特殊的人，他们在朝中的势力根深蒂固，又有军队做保障。
为了政治利益，端王集团不仅排斥外国人，也排斥汉人，他们认为天下是满人的，只能由满人来分享成果，所以要警惕汉人和外国势力，也根本不要搞什么变法。为了这个目的，端王集团隐藏的政变图谋就是：鼓动慈禧废去光绪，改立端王的儿子为皇帝！
光绪宣布变法开始以后，这伙人也没闲着，他们干得最多的一件事就是——造谣。他们既不是朝廷中的变法派，也不是一般的顽固派，而是属于造谣派。
天津阅兵的谣言，是他们造出来的。造这个谣言的目的是要在朝廷中制造“光绪被废”的舆论氛围，那时候的慈禧在支持光绪搞变法，她是不会废去光绪的，即使要废，大权在她之手，在皇宫就能办成，并不需要多此一举跑到天津去，所以这是一个彻头彻尾的谣言。而端王集团并不死心，他们会寻找造谣的新机会。
机会很快来了。这就是伊藤博文来到北京，野心不死的端王集团又造了第二次谣，那就是告诉慈禧光绪将勾结日本人劫持慈禧，这又是逼迫慈禧废去光绪。
对于这时候的慈禧来说，她并没有废去光绪的心思，但是端王集团的政治和军事势力太强大，连慈禧一时都无法撼动，所以他们的要求慈禧又不得不考虑。事实上对于慈禧这个最高统治者来说，她不得不在各派之间搞平衡，维持朝廷的稳定——原因前面我们也已经说过，只有朝廷稳定了她老人家的权力才稳定啊。光绪不知道的是，之前为了支持变法，慈禧也承受着来自端王集团的压力，现在光绪提出开懋勤殿，引进伊藤博文做外援，慈禧也顶不住了，除了对自身权力安全的考虑，她也需要安抚住端王集团，反对光绪某种程度也是没有办法。
在这样的背景下，慈禧开始了临朝训政。然后围园杀后的计划暴露了，光绪背上合谋的重大嫌疑，这对于端王集团来说，是一个真正的机会！在端王集团的强大压力下，愤怒中的慈禧终于动了废去光绪的心思，默许了端王集团的小动作，由于光绪一向是体弱多病的，于是朝廷以光绪的名义颁布上谕：朕已重病，请各地推荐名医。
在专制朝廷里，皇帝生病本来是高度的国家机密，而皇帝在上谕中公布自己的病情，这更加异常。这一反常事件的背后就是端王要为废去光绪作重要的准备，而这次已经不仅是舆论准备，还有程序上的准备了。
我们需要注意一下的是，颁布这个上谕的时间是9月25日，此时，荣禄进京了。他带着两个很重要的目的。
荣禄的第一个目的是保护袁世凯。
荣禄虽然也是八旗子弟，并且出生于满族八大家族之首——正白旗瓜尔佳氏。但是到他这一代时，家道已经衰落了，荣禄并不是端王集团的人，他只是慈禧提拔起来的绝对心腹。由于荣禄不像端王集团的人那样在朝中有着根深蒂固的势力，他在朝中的权势除了来自慈禧，也需要更多的权力基础。这个基础就是：袁世凯。为了倚重袁世凯这样的官场新星，荣禄在慈禧面前替老袁成功地开脱了。
而另一个更重要的目的，就是：保护光绪。
一定要想办法保护光绪，这是荣禄进京之前和袁世凯商量好的。虽然没有证据证明光绪事先知道围园杀后的计划，甚至这个计划是不是原本就来自他的授意，但是，光绪已经逃脱不了重大嫌疑，甚至已经成为了头号嫌疑犯，因为一旦谋杀太后成功，获益最大的就是他。端王集团正等着审讯那些“乱党”，给光绪一个罪名，成功废帝。而荣禄担心的是如果让端王集团以审讯证实了光绪的嫌疑，光绪只能面临被废的命运。
自己不是端王集团的人，一旦光绪被废，端王的儿子上台，这对荣禄绝无好处。
而在荣禄的分析劝说之下，慈禧也冷静下来了，对于慈禧来说，端王集团只是她的政治盟友，而不是像荣禄这样的绝对心腹，心腹和盟友是有绝对分别的。慈禧明白了，一旦废帝，再立新君，端王的儿子成为皇帝，端王成为太上皇，如果他们父子联合起来成为她新的政敌，更不好对付。
是的，我还需要光绪继续成为我的傀儡皇帝，他只是我手中的棋子而已，虽然这个棋子不听话，还有谋害自己的嫌疑，但我也只能继续去利用他。在他有被废去的危险之时去保护他，作为一个临朝训政者，光绪的存在也是我存在的一个理由，我不能亲手毁掉这颗棋子。
慈禧马上颁布命令：这些抓捕归案的“乱党”们罪大恶极，不用再审了，直接杀头。光绪终于脱离了从嫌疑犯变成事实犯的危险。按照慈禧的命令，他从此继续居住在瀛台，派太监看管，但他仍然是皇帝，皇帝的名号和所有的待遇不变，光绪仍然要出席早朝等其他朝政活动，仍然可以发表自己对朝政的看法（需要看慈禧的脸色行事），除了每天必须回瀛台居住，他仍然有很大的自由。
端王集团的政变企图失败了。但是他们仍然是不甘心的。于是谣言再一次在京城流传，按照当时美国驻北京大使康戈尔的夫人（萨拉?康戈尔）日记记载，这最新的谣言是：
“皇帝病得很重！”“皇帝被外国人害死了！”
谣言之中，北京城里很快出现了普通百姓攻击外国人的事件，他们朝洋人扔石子，追打洋人，而当洋人去找清兵时，那些八旗子弟说：你们是洋人，我们保护不了你们。
看来端王先生真是很会造谣，想害死皇帝的明明是他，却嫁祸到外国人头上。是的，仅仅就这个谣言来说，无辜的是洋人，他们恰恰是想保护光绪的（后述）。而端王集团造个最新谣言的目的就在于：利用老百姓的民族情绪，再一次寻找发动政变的机会！
野心不死啊。虽然端王集团的政变阴谋暂时被挫败了，但是，凭着我们对这伙神秘人物的了解，我们知道他们一定是不会就此罢休的，他们还会寻找新的机会。从另外一种意义上来说，当通过甲午战争和戊戌变法让帝后两党的权斗暂时落下帷幕之后，朝廷也“需要”他们。因为专制朝廷的一大特色就是权斗无时不在，平衡只是暂时，内斗将是永远。
It's over, it's over.大家在看完这个漫长的故事舒展一下筋骨的同时，也是时候来总结一下这场轰轰烈烈开始的变法失败的根本原因了。虽然我们只重点讲述了这惊心动魄的103天，但我认为清国真正的变法从1895年清日战争结束后就开始了。在那几年里，朝廷新修铁路，编练新军，这是洋务运动关于经济变法的持续。而政治上的“变法”也在进行，在过去，民间结社向来被严厉禁止，因为这是朝廷的大忌，不论你有多么正当的理由，在朝廷看来群众聚在一起都有造反的嫌疑，让人睡不踏实。而在1895年以后，民间结社开始逐步开放，言论也进一步自由，这才造成了康有为办的强学会以及各种上书的兴起。
这103天，是变法最为集中的时刻，它留下了很多的“新政”，它兴办了工商，它振兴了教育，京师大学堂（今北京大学前身）就是这103天里开办的，我国历史上第一个奖励技术创造发明、保护专利的国家法律（《振兴工艺给奖章程》）也是在这103天里颁布的，其他还有政治、军事和文化等方面的创举，这些内容教科书已经总结得很完整，有兴趣的可以去